Great Banjo Tunes (formerly titled Advanced Banjo): We’ve spoken of banjo greats Earl Scruggs and Ralph Stanley (if you are reading these blurbs in order), but we have yet to mention the magnificent work of Don Reno. Don played in a jazzy, often single-string, style that is hard to duplicate. We do the best we can with his versions of “Limehouse Blues” and “Dixie Breakdown,” two light-hearted, fun-filled pieces that include some tricky left-hand fingering. (Be prepared to stretch!) (Note: The DVD opens with an awesome twin-banjo version of “Dixie Breakdown” by Murphy and Casey. We say with all modesty.)

Then, from the Father of Bluegrass himself, Bill Monroe, come mandolin tunes “Goldrush” and “Shenandoah Breakdown.” Both include some not-too-difficult melodic licks, as does the traditional fiddle tune “Bill Cheatum.” Last, and perhaps hardest, “Kansas City Railroad Blues” (in the key of C), features Casey teaching a tune for the first time at age 17.

You’ll have your work cut out for you with these tunes, but when the work’s all done, you’ll have made a quantum leap in your playing. No Tab.

Goldrush, Bill Cheatum, Shenandoah Breakdown, Limehouse Blues, Dixie Breakdown, and Kansas City Railroad Blues (2 hours, 15 minutes)

DVD or Download
$29.95

Oops!

In the lesson for "Kansas City Railroad Blues," one lick was mistakenly not included in the middle of the explanation of the tune. The lick IS present each time the song and the phrase is played through, so if you pay close attention you should have no trouble getting it. Feel free to contact us if you need further clarification.

$29.95